Easily installed fan belt

ABSTRACT

An automotive fan belt having in cross section the general shape of a T and having opposite ends provided with snap fasteners or screw clamps for joining said ends.

24/230 SL, 230 CF, 31 B, 31 C, 31 L, 31 R; 339/258 S, 255 P, 261; 385/7, 317, 319; 74/231 P, 231 J, 232

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,732,597 Epstein 1 1 May 15, 1973 [54] EASILY INSTALLED FAN BELT [56] References Cited Inventor: glayrtin Epstein, Rockviile Center,

3,461,511 8/1969 Perina ..24/31 v Asslgneel The Raymond orgamlatmn 3,092,885 6/1963 Guanche ..24/23o CF New York, NY 3,245,698 4/1966 Fromknecht [22] Filed: June 29, 1971 2,061,961 11/1936 Culver et a]. ..339/25& s MN 157,834 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Assistant Examiner-Darrell Marquette 52 US. (:1 ..24/31 B, 24/31 v, 24/230 SL, Ammey-Rwhard SheeveJr- 51 161.131. ..Fl6g 1/04 [571 ABSTRACT of Search R, F, An automotive fan belt having in cross section the general shape of a T and having opposite ends provided with snap fasteners or screw clamps for joining said ends.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIE 3,732,597

FIG. 6.

INVENTOR. MART/N EPJTE/A/ EASILY INSTALLED FAN BELT PRIOR ART The conventional belt used for fan drive in an automobile is a flexible elongated endless belt having the general shape of a T in cross section. It can be installed only with the use of hand tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In my invention I employ a flexible elongated belt having opposite ends and retaining the general cross sectional shape of a T. Detachable means cooperating with the ends enables'same to be interconnected while the belt is installed whereby no hand tools are needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my invention with the ends detached;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention of FIG. 1 with the ends engaged;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of my invention with the ends detached;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the invention of FIG. 3 with the ends engaged;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another form of my invention with the ends detached; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the invention of FIG. 5 with the ends engaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fan belt 10 is flexible, elongated relative non-stretchable and has a cross section in the general shape of a T. The belt has two opposite ends. One end 12 has a longitudinally extending horizontal recess 14 in the flat top portion of the belt and is surmounted by a transversely extending inclined catch plate 16. The other end 18 has a flat horizontal forwardly extending finger 20 surmounted by a forwardly extending pivotable catch 22. The two ends can be engaged for purposes previously described by placing the finger in the recess and causing the catch to engage the catch plate.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, ends 12 and 18 are each provided with manually operable catches 24.

Referring finally to FIG. 6, a screw controlled clamp 26 has opposite inner surfaces carrying gripping teeth 28 and is operable by manual rotation of screw arm 30. While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

1. In combination: an elongated flexible, relatively non-stretchable belt having opposite ends:

and means for detachably securing together said opposite ends to form an endless belt; wherein the belt is T-shaped in cross section and said securing means detachably engages only the flat top portions of said T-shape, leaving the stem of the T-shape free; 1 one end of said belt having a longitudinally extending recess in its top portion surmounted by a transversely extending catch plate; the other end having a flat forwardly extending finger attached to its top portion to enter said recess, and a pivotal catch sunnounting the finger to engage the catch plate.

# I t i t 

1. In combination: an elongated flexible, relatively nonstretchable belt having opposite ends: AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY SECURING TOGETHER SAID OPPOSITE ENDS TO FORM AN ENDLESS BELT; WHEREIN THE BELT IS T-shaped in cross section and said securing means detachably engages only the flat top portions of said Tshape, leaving the stem of the T-shape free; ONE END OF SAID BELT HAVING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RECESS IN ITS TOP PORTION SURMOUNTED BY A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING CATCH PLATE; THE OTHER END HAVING A FLAT FORWARDLY EXTENDING FINGER ATTACHED TO ITS TOP PORTION TO ENTER SAID RECESS, AND A PIVOTAL CATCH SURMOUNTING THE FINGER TO ENGAGE THE CATCH PLATE. 